An article on smoking cessation....

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
An article on smoking cessation....
5
Fri, 09-05-2003 - 10:53pm


Here's an article I found on i-village at the smoking cessation board. The bit about when to begin a quit for women was news to me. . . ..

=================================================================

Women CAN Kick Butts For Life

There's good news for women who are trying to quit smoking. For several decades, studies have shown that women have a harder time quitting than men do, and that stop-smoking aids such as nicotine patches and gum aren't as effective for women as for men. Now, research that specifically targets how nicotine interacts with a woman's body offers new strategies to help women quit smoking for life.

Women and Cigarettes: What the Research Says

Nicotine and ... Women



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Mood Nicotine increases serotonin, and other mood elevating chemicals, in the brain. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression in men and women. Women appear to make less of this important chemical than do men, which may help explain why women have nearly twice the rate of depression as do men -- and why women find it harder to quit smoking.

Many women who smoke also suffer from depression. The mood improving effects of cigarettes may mask this illness, and keep it from being diagnosed and treated.

Women experience more stress than men do, and rely on cigarettes more to cope.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Menstrual Cycle Studies show that women who quit smoking during the first 14 days of their menstrual cycle, when estrogen levels are at their highest, experience far fewer symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, depression and weight gain than do women who quit during the last 14 days of their cycle, when estrogen levels are at their lowest.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Meals Scientists have long known that nicotine suppresses appetite, and cigarette ads targeting women glorify "super thin" women. Yet, women who curb their eating excessively are more likely to return to cigarettes than women who do not curb food to an extreme.




Quit Smoking for Life: What Women Can Do

Talk to your doctor about using nicotine patches or gum as part of your total program for smoking cessation. Mention any medications you are taking as well.

The antidepressant bupropion has been found effective in helping women quit smoking. This medication does not contain nicotine.

If you are menopausal and lacking the mood enhancing effects of estrogen that decrease the symptoms of withdrawal, an antidepressant may be particularly important to consider. In addition, women are strongly urged to avoid smoking while on hormone replacement therapy.

Set your quit date to fall shortly after your period ends, and before you ovulate, when estrogen levels are highest and most supportive of your efforts to quit. If you are menopausal, consider using an antidepressant (see above).

Establish new eating habits that will help you maintain your optimum weight.

Avoid carbohydrates and "junk food" - foods you will likely crave - that will increase your weight. Be careful with foods and beverages you associate with smoking a cigarette, such as coffee and alcoholic drinks. Avoid these in the early stages of nicotine withdrawal (first 1 - 2 weeks).

Cravings for carbohydrates and junk food are often your body's way of stepping up serotonin production. Healthy alternatives include foods that are rich in serotonin, and other chemicals important for mood regulation, such as clams, oysters, snails (escargots), octopus, squid, bananas, pineapple, plums, nuts, milk and turkey.

Certain chemicals in our brain control our appetite by telling us when we are full, and can stop eating. Foods that can boost our supply of these chemicals, and help us avoid over-eating during nicotine withdrawal, include soy, shrimp, tuna, milk, yogurt and buttermilk.

If you are on one of the new low-carbohydrate diets, keep in mind that curbing those carbs can depress your mood. You may wish to "lighten up" by adding some of the foods mentioned above.

Don't forget your exercise program; exercise increases serotonin. Women who exercise are more likely to quit smoking and less likely to start up again.

Talk to your doctor about the possibility of stress management or behavioral modification classes. Some of these are offered by local hospitals, others can be given in one-on-one training sessions. Many physicians now offer insurance-covered one-on-one counseling sessions to assist patients who quit smoking.

Your plan to quit smoking is a total program that will impact many areas of your life, and may take longer than you expected. You are not a failure if you start smoking again; stopping and starting is part of a process for many women that leads to a final, smoke-free destination.

Quitting will always be a challenge, but research into women's moods, menstrual cycles and diet are offering new options tailored for women. You CAN kick butts and stay tobacco-free for life!

Please Note: Information provided here is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. The Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research and iVillage/iVillageHealth make no representation or warranty regarding the content of this information. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult a health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals.

Copyright © Society for Women's Health Research



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 09-05-2003 - 11:08pm
Thanks for the reminder Tracy.

I definitely think quitting is a whole different ball game for gals than it is guys.

Not necessarily harder but different.

~Golly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 09-06-2003 - 12:01am


Thanks Tracy for some great information!

I always knew quitting was very different for men and women

BTW .. I think I have some information about quitting on the website you know

I may try to put this on it too .. thanks again hon :)

~Hugs~

          Click & Join the fun!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Sat, 09-06-2003 - 8:55am
Great article, Tracy ~ thanks for the share.

I hadn't read it in a long time. Yes, Hugs....a GOOD one for *our* website:)

I'm personally all about that serotonin stuff.....so I got some good hints here.

xoxo stel

* Stel *

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 09-06-2003 - 6:21pm
Thanks tracy. I have read that before--but it had been awhile.Nice refresher course!!xoxomel

"Mel on Wheels"    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 09-06-2003 - 8:41pm


>>I'm personally all about that serotonin stuff.....so I got some good hints here.

**Me too. :)

And I 1/2 heard some news about them finding some little enzyme or something in our makeup that could be the reason a lot of people overeat. Hope they share more cause I really wished I'd heard more. I'll have to check out Reuters' News up top when I get a chance.

~Golly